Dear Stufac: it's time to say goodbye.

Is this decrepit yet (mostly) beloved gathering place an irreplaceable staple of Middlesex character, or is it time for this designated student hangout to get an upgrade? 

Photo by Max Linton

From pool tables, board games, ping pong tables, and the grill, what more could anyone want out of a student facility? Well, a lot. Stufac, Middlesex’s designated student facilities area, is–putting it nicely–in a bit of a rough shape. Although Stufac does indeed hold all of these staples of classic, harmless entertainment, students over the years have somehow found a way to mangle and destroy almost every facet of this communal space. The pool table? Chipped. Board games? Collecting dust, and probably missing all of their pieces. Ping pong table? You’d better stay about 10 feet away because the jagged edges of that board are lethal enough to take out any faculty child at eye level. And this is all without mentioning the numerous stains and rips on the sagging couches that are worthy of being deemed a genuine biohazard. 

Despite its many evident flaws, Stufac’s “blemishes” are part of what makes it so beloved. Its seemingly disposable nature makes it a place where people feel comfortable acting without care; although this expendability often results in even greater stress being put upon the already worn furniture and games, perhaps it is a necessary space for students to let loose and be themselves. Many can attest to the plethora of core freshman memories that stem from this chaotic diversion from the stress of rigorous academics, and the undeniable character this space holds is something that would leave the school at a loss should it ever be removed. Additionally, serving as the occasional host to FOS, club meetings, and sports team gatherings, Stufac also holds some value in its genuine use as a space to hold events. 

But perhaps memory is a fickle thing, and has led us to forget the less flattering aspects of Stufac’s character; although I have already mentioned the aesthetic issues of this space, Stufac is more often than not an under-utilized section of campus despite its reputation of being the freshman gathering place. Over my 3 years at Middlesex, fewer and fewer students have begun to congregate within its walls and it has seemingly become a mere passing space between Ware Hall and the Athletic Center. Perhaps this pessimism is simply from my jaded perspective as a junior who now fails to perceive the glory with which I once regarded Stufac, but I suspect it comes from the objective truth that Stufac’s flaws have begun to shift from “character” to signs of outright decay. Indeed, it oftentimes seems as if being adjacent to The Grill is the only thing keeping it from succumbing to total degradation. If I were to decide whether or not to revamp Stufac, I have to say it's hard to deny the growing necessity for an upgrade. Although I’d try to keep the casual, colloquial nature of the space, new furniture and equipment–particularly the couches and game tables–are something I think everyone would be thankful for. This isn't to say that it’s Stufac’s reputation that has gotten in this bad of a condition, however, students must gain a greater respect for the things we have on campus. Pool tables are not a luxury many schools have, and if we want to maintain these things we so often take for granted we need to treat them with dignity. Although Stufac has served as a staple of MX character through its charming yet ramshackle nature, all good things must come to an end, and I believe it's time to put some of its well-worn features to rest. 

Sincerely, the MX student body. 

Catherine Bain